The Most Holy Eucharist is the lifeblood of the Church. In it the whole spiritual wealth of the Church is contained, for the Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life.
There is little wonder, then, that St. John Paul II, declared from October 2004 to October 2005 the “Year of the Eucharist” (cf. Mane Nobiscum Domine, 4). We are invited to contemplate the great mystery of the Eucharist and live as much as possible the Eucharistic life: true Christian life is Eucharistic life.
The Holy Mass and Communion are inseparable from the life of a Christian. Its fruitfulness depends on how we prepare ourselves and how we participate in holy Mass.
Many saints spent half a day in thanksgiving for the Mass and holy Communion, while devoting the other half to its preparation.
In the sacristies of the Missionaries of Charity all over the world, one can see a little board hanging to remind each priest that he should celebrate each Mass with devotion, freshness, contemplation and enthusiasm. The board says:
“Priest of God,
Celebrate this Mass as if it is your first Mass,
Your only Mass and
your last Mass”
Of course these words apply to the celebrant as well as the participants.